Colour Me Happy! - By Brandi Hofer Studios

Art has a way of staying with you: through joy, through grief, through the moments that change everything. Sometimes it’s not about what you make, but what making gives back to you. - -Brandi
In this deeply honest and inspiring episode of Colour Me Happy, Brandi sits down with artist Shana Blakley to talk about the real life behind a creative career. The pivots, the pauses, the grief, the joy, and the moments that quietly (or loudly) change everything.
We talk about how trauma can unexpectedly become a gift, a lens that strips away the noise and shows you what truly matters. How so many women find their creative calling not despite hard moments, but because of them. And how art can be the one constant that holds you steady when life doesn’t.

Shana shares the behind-the-scenes journey of building a sustainable art practice with her new new Heirloom Collages.
This episode is for artists, creatives, and anyone who needs permission to trust their instincts, honour their story, and remember that art can walk beside you through every season of life.

1. Let life inform your art — not silence it.
Big moments, including trauma and loss, don’t disqualify you from creating. Often, they clarify what matters most and bring depth, meaning, and honesty into your work.
2. Sustainability comes from truth, not burnout.
You don’t have to say yes to everything to be successful. A sustainable art practice grows when you listen closely to what feels aligned, even if that means pivoting away from what once worked.

Have you ever tried painting your partner?
Fair warning… things get weird fast 😆
In this Valentine’s episode of Colour Me Happy, Brandi is joined by her husband and partner-in-life, Charles, for a hilarious paint-your-partner challenge that quickly turns into belly laughs, classic partner squabbles, and one unforgettable portrait reveal (yes, we talk about how Charles’ painting of Brandi turned out 👀).
But beneath the laughter, there’s something deeper too.
Right before Brandi’s mom passed, she kept saying: “You’re in charge of your destiny.”
This episode is a reminder that when life feels heavy, sometimes the bravest thing you can do is look around and choose joy, even in the small, silly moments.
Two Takeaway Tips
Take charge of what you can control.
Your attitude, your presence, and how you choose to show up for the people you love matter more than perfection ever will.

Leave space for joy and connection.
Life can feel heavy — that’s real. But laughter, creativity, and shared moments are medicine. Make time for them on purpose.

If you’re local: Join us for our Valentine’s Paint Night on Thursday, February 12th. Come laugh, paint, connect, and make a memory together.

Art isn’t about perfection. It’s about surviving the chaos with humour and showing up again.
By far the most hilarious episode we’ve ever recorded (right up there with Jann Arden), this conversation had our cheeks hurting from laughter.
We’re joined by art educator Jamie Hamilton aka heymamapaints, who we first met after she took our portrait class, and quickly realized she was our kind of human.
We dive headfirst into major art fails, unforgettable classroom moments (yes, someone once mixed hand sanitizer with Model Magic 😳), the mysterious obsession with white glue on everything, and all the things no one warns you about when you decide to become an artist or teach art.
But underneath the laughter are solid art tips, permission to loosen your grip on perfection, and a reminder that sometimes the best thing you can do — in art and in life — is laugh, pivot, and keep going.
Because life is messy. Art is messy. At least we have our artist friends.

1. Not every “mistake” is a failure — some are just future stories.
If it didn’t work, congratulations: you’re officially experimenting. Learn, laugh, and move on without letting it shut you down.
2. Humour is a creative survival skill.
When things go sideways (in the studio or in life), a sense of humour keeps you creating instead of quitting.

Being creative means you can pretty much do anything! Your brain is wired with problem-solving superpowers. The magic happens when you stop waiting and start creating! - Brandi 

This week on Colour Me Happy Podcast  What if being creative means you’re actually equipped to do anything? In this episode of Colour Me Happy, Brandi Hofer sits down with artist Tracy Verdugo to talk about the real superpower creatives carry: creative problem-solving.
Together, they unpack the challenge of juggling endless ideas, letting go of traditional “art rules,” and choosing process and empowerment over outcome-driven expectations. This conversation is a reminder that no one is coming to knock on your door with permission or opportunity—you create it yourself.
By thinking outside the box, making bold moves, and leaning into community and connection, creatives can build momentum, confidence, and a practice that truly feels like home. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment, this is your sign to get going.
Takeaway Tips:
Create the opportunity! Don’t wait for it.Try unconventional approaches in your art practice, pitch your own ideas, start the project, send the message. Momentum comes from action, not permission.
Connection is your creative best friend.Reach out, find your people, build community. Creativity thrives when it’s shared, supported, and celebrated together.

Self-love isn’t selfish—it’s how we remember who we are and give ourselves permission to shine.
Local business owner and founder of Power of Pink, Kim Newsted, joins me on the Colour Me Happy podcast for a conversation every woman needs to hear.
This episode is an invitation to refocus on your power, your goals, your wants, your needs, and your health—without guilt. Kim reminds us that when we truly take care of ourselves, the right people, opportunities, and energy naturally begin to flow into our lives.
This event (and this conversation) is about changing the narrative. It’s a reminder that women deserve to shine, recharge, and step fully into their power. When we reclaim our sparkly pink, we don’t dim others—we light the way.
If you’re craving inspiration, alignment, and permission to put yourself back on the list, this one’s for you.
Focus inward first.
When you get clear on what you want and need, everything around you begins to align more effortlessly.

Self-care creates ripple effects.
Taking care of yourself isn’t indulgent—it’s how you show up stronger, brighter, and more present for everyone else.

Ticket HERE - don’t miss it!